Posted: Sun, Dec 31, 2017, 9:23 AM ET (1423 GMT)
China launched a trio of reconnaissance satellites Tuesday. The Long March 2C rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 2:44 pm EST Monday (1944 GMT Monday, 3:44 am Tuesday Beijing time) and placed the satellites into sun-synchronous orbits. The rocket placed a third trio of Yaogan-30 satellites into orbit, after similar launches in September and November. The satellites are believed to be used for military reconnaissance.